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Skin layers
Skin layers

Skin blushing/flushing
Definition:
A sudden reddening of the face, neck and occasionally, upper chest.

Alternative Names:
Blushing; Flushing; Red face

Considerations:
Blushing is a normal response when embarrassed, angry, feeling guilty, or experiencing some other strong emotion.

Flushing of the face may also be associated with certain medical conditions.
Common Causes:
  • extremes of emotion
  • rapid changes in temperature
  • hot or spicy foods
  • rosacea
  • high fever
  • alcohol abuse or alcohol intolerance
  • medications such as Diabinese (for diabetics) and niacin (for lowering cholesterol -- sometimes contained in high-potency vitamins)
  • menopause ("hot flush" -- due to a drop in estrogen levels)
  • carcinoid syndrome
Home Care:
Eliminate any triggers that you can identify. Try to avoid hot drinks, spicy food, extremes of temperature, and bright sunlight.
Call your health care provider if:
  • there is continual and persistent flushing
  • other symptoms, such as diarrhea, are present
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your skin blushing/flushing in detail may include:
  • location
    • Do you have facial flushing (blushing)?
    • Does it affect the whole body?
  • quality
    • Are you having hot flushes?
  • time pattern
    • Do you have flushing attacks?
    • How often do you have flushing or blushing?
    • Are episodes getting worse?
    • Are they getting more frequent?
  • aggravating factors
    • Is it worse after alcohol intake?
  • other
Review Date: 11/11/2001
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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